SCHOOL rugby teams competing in a tournament had laptops, computer tablets, phones and even their uniforms stolen by thieves who raided minibuses while they played.

Pupils at Parkside, Cullingworth; Titus Salt, Baildon; St Bede's, Heaton; and Oakbank, Keighley, were at an under-13s sporting festival at Baildon Rugby Club.

Head teachers have branded the crime as "sad" and "thoughtless".

Minibuses from each school were targeted at the Jenny Lane ground on Tuesday afternoon by thieves who popped bus windows out of their rubber seals, then opened the doors.

Sharon Priestley's son Mark was one of 15 pupils at Parkside School who were playing in the tournament.

Mrs Priestley, of Wilsden, said: "The thieves got into the Parkside van and took almost everything, kit, wallets, phones i-Pads tablets, house keys and even blazers - all gone.

"Mark lost his Samsung Galaxy phone, but others lost a lot more.

"It must have been planned, they took their time and carefully removed a window to get in."

"Even things like sports kit are expensive and the blazers cost £35 alone."

Parkside head teacher Andrew Taylor said: "Upset and disappointment are two of the emotions here at Parkside School upon hearing that we, along with three other schools had our minibuses broken into at the Rugby festival at Baildon RUFC.

"We hope to continue supporting such events given the valuable life experiences they give, but will be reviewing all our arrangements in light of the incident."

At Titus Salt school, head teacher Ian Morrel said: "It is sad that schools cannot just enjoy participation in sport without having to think of criminals targeting us.

"We are reviewing our students having their personal belongings on the touchline as well as investing in some form of safe to be secured inside the school minibus."

Sergeant James Firth, of the Shipley Area Neighbourhood Team, said there already had been progress in the investigation.

"We have recovered some items which we believe to have been stolen from the minibuses in the Eccleshill area, and are working with the schools to identify these and hope to return them to the children as soon as possible," he said.

"It is almost certain that the thieves used a vehicle and I would urge anyone who saw that vehicle, or witnessed any suspicious activity in the area between 3.30pm and 5.15pm yesterday to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."